Careful Fear & Dead Devotion

Isabel let her feet take her wherever they felt to go. She pulled her jacket around her, scrubs still on as she had just gotten off work. She paid little attention to the people around her, focusing instead on her thoughts and the tugs of fear she felt off and on. It was a silly thing, to be afraid of someone already dead. But nightmares still plagued her, and the scar across her shoulder was a reminder that she could have died for being too trusting. Her patients today had her thinking about her future, and what weighing what was important in life. She hardly noticed that she had ended up on the docks, a bit surprised with herself for unintentionally heading to an open area. Stopping, she breathed in, relishing in the cool wind and the sound of the waves. 

Running seemed to bring him peace, it always had, but for so long his mind had been everywhere else that the hobby escaped him. But in light of events and with his father still in the hospital, he needed to escape himself. Sometimes he wondered if he made the right choice, if he should have followed his sister when their mother came back--no, he knew this is where he was meant to stand and its where he would stay until they were safe. He couldn’t keep running, he couldn’t be like the rest of his family he couldn’t. Garrett slowed as he came to the docks, not noticing how far he’d gotten from his end of town. While he wasn’t tired, he slowed and decided it was as good as any to catch his breath. That’s when he caught the sight of the red hair and for a moment--he had hoped. He started towards the woman, but as he got closer he could see it wasn’t his sister. No, only a stranger. He started to turn back, finish the jog, but he couldn’t shake her expression. “Hey, you alright?” He called out to her, not sure if she wanted to be bothered, but what could it hurt?

Mentions of gore, injury, mild supernatural creature transformation, & hospital mentions

“Exactly, a mini vacation. That sounds like a better way to spend our time than around town.” Both had been through enough, the anxiousness of even coming here starting to creep in with each passing second. A smile spread across her face at the simple kiss, following his gaze towards the other people. “Food first, and then we can dance. No hangriness for you tonight,” she teased, pulling him towards the table of food.

“We could go, this weekend, tomorrow--we could just go and keep going.” he dream like words drifting from his lips as he pondered the idea. He would give anything to escape, to get away from the past six months, to get back to those first few stolen moments when the world still made sense and they weren’t fighting to hold on to themselves. He laughed softly at her comment, “We probably should feed the beast first,” he would never get used to being a werewolf, but the jokes were getting easier to make. “Wouldn’t want to ruin the party with him showing up.” He followed suit, keeping close to her. “I’m surprised the mayor decided to go ahead with the event after what happened. Maybe she finally got things under control.” That wouldn’t put him at ease, but maybe it would give them time to breathe before things went to hell once more. The town’s time felt borrowed and he didn’t want to stay close to see what would happened when it ran out.  

“If anything happens tonight, I refuse to go to anything else. I spent way too long on this…” She gestured at herself, “to let it go to waste.” Lei huffed, taking Garrett’s hand. “Sorry, I’m good. What should we do first?”

@garrettendured

Garret couldn’t help the light laugh, shaking his head. “Alright, if something happens tonight, we can skip town next time and get away. Just you and me.“ There was a seriousness to his voice; as if he’d thought about it before. Maybe a little too much, if he were honest. He lifted their hands to his lips, leaving a gentle kiss on her hand. “I could go for something to eat,” He shrugged, before looking out to the floor full of people. “Or we could dance and show off how beautiful you look tonight.”

“It’s kind of sad, isn’t it. Just…losing people.” She feigned the interest, hoping to scope out some information on him and leaving it at that. “And the potluck should help, it’s not like every event this year has something bad that could happen, right? This place is dangerous, but it isn’t cursed.” She added with a simple shrug. “Do you ever get out of your head by turning into a wolf?” She asked, the scent coming off of him letting her know of his status. “I find that that always helps me.”

“Most, I think someone died at the last pot luck too.” Garrett sighed, shaking his head. He really wasn’t much of a people person, he was not making a good impression. “I’m sorry, that’s rude--yeah, I don’t know, it feels cursed, but we’re here and that’s something”  Garrett caught her scent before she walked up. He used to see it as a curse, but now--he was grateful to know what he was up against. “Most people like us don’t remember it, wake up feeling freer or something. I don’t. I remember it--doesn’t make it easier. But I’m alright, its just this time of year. Makes it hard.”

Leilani loved this time of year, but even she had to admit it lacked the same appeal it did in previous years. “The day isn’t here quite yet. Maybe the weeks before it might not be the same, but this year doesn’t have to ruin Christmas day being special.”

“You’re right,” he sighed softly as he looked over to her. She was the reason he even thought twice about it, the reason he even made his did get a tree this year. After everything, he just wanted to escape it all. but she’d lost far more than he could imagine. He, if anything, had to make it worth it for her. “I think I’ve been around my dad too much. Maybe tonight will turn it around.”

“We have had quite a few tragedies hit town this year, haven’t we?” Of course, Holly was at the center of a few, causing them but that was neither here nor there. “The year is almost over though. Is there anything that could lift your spirits and get you into more of a holiday mood?” Maybe she was just sweet talking him, but, it never hurt to try.

“Yeah, I think everyone’s taken a blow this year.” Garrett didn’t know her, he’d gotten comfortable in the town, but recent events reminded him why he never did before. And he didn’t plan to start now. But friendly didn’t mean open. “I don’t know, maybe the potluck will help. I never was big on holidays anyway. Might just need to get out of my head for a while.”

“Oh. Well, that’s definitely not something you hear everyday, but it certainly is a nice surprise.” He shrugged rather aimlessly, trying to get a feel for the other, gaining little insight. “I’m glad you’re alright too. The last thing I need is for someone to go down because of me. These are trying times for us all it seems.” Daniel had no idea why things went downhill so quickly, but he wanted to know more. “Holy shit, really? Like one of the first vamps? I guess repopulation could be a good hypothesis. I don’t know much about vampires, but their lineage goes way back. Who’s your father then? I may have to stock up on some things, just to make sure things are safe and all.”

“Most people like me, we don’t talk about it in a town like this. Really? I don’t talk about it. I’m glad someone doesn’t see it as a bad thing.” Garrett chuckled with surprise, almost taken aback by the man’s comment. It was strange to think anyone saw what he used to do as a good thing. “I’m used to the trying times, but don’t worry about me. I’m alright. I’m more worried about people who aren’t trained, you know? I hate for something to happen.” Garrett only wanted to protect people, its why he wanted to hunt so badly in the beginning. That would never change, but he knew now there were better ways of doing it. “You think so? It made sense, you lose a couple of hundred makes sense they’d make up for the loss.” He was no expert, but it made sense to him. It was strange to have someone other than his sister giving his thoughts a good word. “Oh yeah, we don’t know much about him. But the last name was Hollingsworth and I’ve heard it around town since then. Could be easier than you think, I’d check town records. My dad’s name is Warren Carver. He’s got a hunting store in town, he’ll hook you up and tell him I sent you.”

“Are you…do you hunt newborn vampires?” It didn’t seem like the worst possibility, at least not with his own life on the line. “I’m glad you’re alright too, Garrett. I’m Daniel, and I don’t think I could ever repay you. Do you know why there seem to be more newborns than usual?”

“I used to, I’m retired now.  Long story, but its not my first run in with them. Not all are like that, not all are bad. Those--I don’t know.” Garrett wasn’t used to this, something wasn’t right here and he couldn’t place it, but he was scared of what this might mean. “Don’t worry about it,Daniel.  I’m just glad you’re alright. Wish I could have met ya in better circumstances.” He laughed, knowing with this town, it didn’t get much better. “There was an original killed a few months ago and half the vampire population dropped dead. Maybe their trying to repopulate? I can’t tell you. I haven’t really noticed. My dad, he’s still in the business. Him and his co-workers might be the ones you want to talk to.”

“Did we enter some sort of hellhole dimension where vampires just run amuck now? I’d be dead if it weren’t for you.”

“I hate to tell ya mister, but this is something I’m used to. But they aint so bad, just the new borns or the soulless--guess that doesn’t make it better. I’m glad you’re alright, it wasn’t much, but least you’re alright. I’m Garrett by the way.”

A good night’s rest was something she needed, at least it was what Leilani kept telling herself. Her house hadn’t been the best place, tossing and turning most nights whenever she stayed there. Being at Garrett’s had been better, feeling sage and not haunted by her brother’s room next door. Her hand lazily reached out for him, only finding emptiness on the other side of the bed. She slowly opened her eyes, sitting up quickly as the unfamiliar surroundings came into view. A loud crash from inside the house refusing to let her come to any sort of conclusions. Instead, she went searching for the sound of scream. The voice didn’t register with her, hearing something through a particular door. Leilani didn’t think before opening the door, letting out a small scream as she covered her eyes and turned around. “Sorry! Sorry! Are you okay?” The man didn’t look familiar either, a mix of worry for his safety and the fact she’d somehow woken up in this house.

Garrett just wanted for things to be normal for a while, he just wanted to wake up in his bed with Leilani and maybe have breakfast with his dad. He just wanted things to feel like they used to be before. But now, nothing seemed right and he started to think there was nothing he could do to fix it. But this, this really felt like a slap to the face. But when the door opened and the woman screamed, it was the icing on top. “Stop! You might fish out too, don’t come in!” He warned her thinking if one merperson lived here, maybe another did too. He pushed the shower certain and rod off himself, pulling himself forward to the knobs to get the water off. “No, no I’m not okay. I woke in someone else’s body,  in their bed with their girlfriend and now I’m a merman trapped in fucking bath tub.” He sounded hysterical, almost like a exasperated child who had a bad day as he finally got the water off. He took a breath and looked back to the door, feeling a little better. “You can look, there’s nothing to see--I’m the little mermaid from the waist down. Could--could you throw me some towels?” 

Dorian had been walking around. He had picked out a really cute sundress and some flat shoes cause fuck high heels. He played with his hair as he popped bubblegum. He looked at the guy. “Hey. Watch it. Man a drink would be really nice right now.” He said mid sentence distracting himself from the being in another body. “wHAT DOES a cop gotta do to get his bottom back.”

Originally posted by batrcbins

Garrett stared at the woman for a minute, the dialogue reminded him of Dorian--oh fuck. There was some relief that this wasn’t a small event, but it scared him to know this was as wide spread as it was. “Dorian,” he asserted trying to break through the strange rant. “It’s Garrett, can you keep your shit together for a minute and I’ll buy you a drink?” He liked how this body had a voice that was deep, could come across sounding like a man and not a child. “Do you know where I can find someone who might know how to fix this? Or help me look for one?”